Job overview
Are you passionate about providing hands-on care and making a real difference to patients every day? We’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Surgical Clinical Support Worker to join our friendly and dynamic surgical team.
As a key member of the ward, you’ll work closely with registered nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, high-quality care to patients before and after surgery. You’ll assist with essential clinical tasks such as monitoring observations, supporting personal care, preparing patients for procedures, and helping them mobilise safely during recovery.
You’ll play a vital role in ensuring patients feel comfortable, supported, and respected throughout their hospital stay — providing not just physical care but emotional reassurance at what can be a challenging time.
This is a great opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced surgical environment, with access to training and development programmes that support career progression, including the potential to complete your Care Certificate or progress into nursing or other healthcare roles.
If you are caring, reliable, and enjoy being part of a close-knit team that values teamwork, compassion, and patient dignity, we’d love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Assist patients with all aspects of personal care, including washing, dressing, toileting, and oral hygiene, while maintaining dignity and privacy.
Support patients before and after surgery, helping them prepare for procedures and recover safely afterwards.
Accurately record and report clinical observations such as temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Assist with fluid balance and nutritional monitoring, including recording food and fluid intake.
Support patients with mobility and rehabilitation, ensuring the use of appropriate aids and following manual handling policies.
Recognise and report changes in a patient’s condition promptly to the registered nurse.
Maintain a clean and safe environment, contributing to infection prevention and control.
Assist with bed making, cleaning equipment, and restocking clinical areas as required.
Maintain a clean and tidy environment
Provide emotional support and reassurance to patients and families, helping to reduce anxiety and promote recovery.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Deliver high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred care under the supervision of registered nurses.
·Assist patients with all aspects of daily living — including washing, dressing, toileting, and mobility — ensuring privacy and dignity at all times.
·Support patients through their surgical journey, including preparation for theatre, safe transfer, and post-operative recovery.
·Take and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) and promptly report any abnormalities.
·Measure and record input/output, weight, and nutritional status accurately.
·Support wound care procedures, including dressing changes, drain management assistance, and monitoring of wound healing (under RN supervision).
·Assist with pre-operative preparation — including skin cleansing, fasting checks, and completion of pre-theatre documentation.
·Support post-operative monitoring, ensuring early recognition of complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, pain).
·Encourage and assist early mobilisation and deep breathing exercises to promote recovery and reduce post-operative risks.
·Help manage surgical drains, catheters, and wound vac systems under the guidance of registered staff.
·Support infection prevention practices, ensuring a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment.
·Promote hydration and nutrition by assisting with meals, recording intake, and offering encouragement to patients.
·Enhanced Recovery and Discharge Support
·Support the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways by encouraging activity, nutrition, and self-care.
·Provide information and reassurance to patients and relatives regarding recovery and discharge processes.
·Assist in preparing patients and belongings for discharge and ensure safe transfer to discharge lounge or transport.
·Communicate effectively with families and carers, signposting to the nurse in charge when additional information is required.
·Teamwork and Communication
·Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver coordinated, holistic care.
·Attend and contribute to daily safety huddles, handovers, and team meetings.
·Report any concerns, incidents, or safeguarding issues promptly in line with Trust policy.
·Support and assist in orientating new staff, students, and volunteers.
·Maintain effective, respectful communication with all team members and patients.
·Documentation and Record Keeping
·Maintain accurate and timely records of all care delivered in accordance with Trust and NMC standards.
·Ensure observations, interventions, and patient updates are clearly documented and handed over appropriately.
·Handle confidential information sensitively and in line with data protection regulations.
·Education, Training, and Development
·Complete and maintain the Care Certificate (if not already achieved).
·Participate in mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
·Seek learning opportunities to develop clinical skills related to general surgery (e.g., wound care, catheter care, drain management).
Assist in outpatient clinic with chaperoning and supporting the clinic nurse.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
X2 years experience in an acute hospital
Desirable criteria
X1 year experience on an acute surgical ward
Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
Knowledge patient observations, and basic clinical procedures.
Desirable criteria
Able to carry out ECG's
Communication
Essential criteria
Good Basic literacy, numeracy, and IT skills
Desirable criteria
NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
